COUNCIL worker Peter Gaimster was in the garden of his home last summer when his wife Julia pointed out a lump on his leg and persuaded him to go to the doctor.

He thought he had just knocked his leg and injured it, but within three months, he had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

He explains: "I had developed a sarcoma in the soft tissue of my lower left leg." Peter underwent a major, but successful, operation to remove the sarcoma but now walks with a limp.

The 51-year-old, from Hastings, East Sussex, was forced to give up running and decided to take up cycling.

Now he is planning to attempt the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 in aid of the local St Michael's Hospice.

He says: "Training for the event is part of my rehabilitation and helps me to remain positive."

RECORD: Paul Needle is determined to beat his father's time [NC]

“This year's Tour de France has inspired one in four Brits to get on their bikes”

VETERAN HERO

WHEN former Navy air mechanic Paul Needle discovered his grandfather had won a trophy after taking part in a 100-mile bike race in the 1920s, he was determined to prove he could match him.

Percy Needle managed to complete the Balham 100 cycle ride back in 1925 in just five hours 23 minutes, aged 20, picking up a trophy for his efforts.

And this year 47-year-old Paul will be trying to beat his grandad's record at the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100.

Now a transport manager, he explains: "I managed to get a place in last year's challenge but only succeeded in doing it in just over six hours. My grandfather's time was a tremendous achievement. "But with a more modern bike than he had I'm hoping I can beat his time."

Paul, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, only took up cycling seriously three years ago after completing a triathlon for fun with some friends.

He will be cycling in aid of Blind Veterans UK and adds: "I find cycling really therapeutic. And it has definitely helped get me fitter. I've lost two stone in the last couple of years."

CHALLENGE: Heidi Sedgeman is fighting back after suffering from depression [NC]

THE death of her husband Steven, 47, in 2007 from skin cancer triggered seven years of pain and depression for housekeeper Heidi Sedgeman.

But at the start of this year the 52-year-old decided to try to put her life back together. She hired a personal trainer and started on a quest to complete a series of challenges - including the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100. Says Heidi, from Chessington, Surrey: "I had become quite sloth-like but was determined to turn my life around."

She's hoping to raise £6,000 in aid of Harrison's Fund, which helps children suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal disease that attacks the muscles.

TWIN: Brothers Tom (left) and Sam (right) want to give back to the doctors who helped them [NC]

IT'S TWIN SPEED

WHEN twin brothers Sam and Tom Allen were born more than two months premature it was touch and go whether they would survive.

Both babies were put on ventilators and Sam spent weeks in intensive care with a lifethreatening bowel infection. But thanks to the efforts of medical staff at the hospital in their home city of Liverpool Sam and Tom survived. Now aged 22, the pair, along with their dad Dominic, 45, are planning to complete the 100 in aid of Bliss, a charity that helps premature babies.

Sam, a barman, says: "Having the ability now to be athletic and do things like cycle is due to the doctors and nurses who helped us.

"We want to help ease the strain on families going through similar situations."

Tom, currently the manager of a shoe shop, says: "I was on an elite cycling team during my time as a student and I'm hoping to complete the course in under four and a half hours.

CHEERLEADER Bronia Gosling, 29, was inspired to take part in the challenge after her friend was left paralysed by a freak accident.

She is cheerleading head coach at Crystal Palace FC and works as a professional dancer.

But performance pal Jay Young, then 22, was left without the use of his arms and legs after a stunt involving a back somersault went wrong.

She says: "We were in panto together in 2010 and then he suffered his terrible neck injury while practising for a new routine. Now he needs 24-hour care.

"When I saw him in the hospital I just knew I had to do something to raise funds to help people like Jay."

Hoping to raise £2,500 for the Spinal Research charity she says: "Before this April I had only been on a bike very occasionally, but now I'm taking the training seriously. "I'm hoping to complete the course in under seven hours."